NWSL giants Portland Thorns make shocking move for Arsenal youngster Laila Harbert with loan agreed until January

National Women’s Soccer League giants Portland Thorns have announced the signing of England youth player and Arsenal wonderkid Harbert on a loan deal, which will be valid until January. Harbert graduated from the Gunners' youth academy and signed her first senior professional contract with the club in January 2025. She spent the final part of the 2024-25 season on loan at Southampton.

The official statement released by the NWSL side read: "The Portland Thorns announced today that it has reached an agreement with Arsenal to bring midfielder Laila Harbert on loan through the 2025 season. The 18-year-old English youth international arrives in Portland after signing her first Women’s Super League (WSL) contract with Arsenal — the reigning UEFA Women’s Champions League winners — in January before going out on loan to WSL 2 side Southampton FC, where she started in eight of her nine appearances. She also spent time with WSL 2’s Watford on a dual-registration agreement in 2023/24, playing 14 matches. Harbert has two appearances for Arsenal which includes a 2024 pre-season match at Washington Spirit when she came on in the second half to help the Gunners secure a 2-1 victory. 

"At the international level for England, Harbert captained the U-17 Lionesses to their first-ever UEFA European Championship final in 2024 and a fourth-place finish at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Earlier this summer during the U-19 Women’s UEFA European Championship, Harbert started in all of England’s matches and helped her country qualify to the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. With full support from the Thorns – the most successful team in the NWSL that boasts a record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and an NWSL Challenge Cup (2021) – Harbert will develop as a member of the league’s youngest core as part of Portland’s effort to build a talented and competitive roster for 2025 and beyond."

The reigning European champions also released a statement confirming Harbert's departure, which read: "Laila Harbert has joined the USA-based side Portland Thorns on loan until January 2026. The 18-year-old midfielder will now continue her development with the National Women’s Soccer League club. Laila has been with us since the age of nine, working her way up through our academy system before signing a first professional contract at the club in January 2025. 

"She spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Southampton, gaining valuable experience of senior football. Laila is also an experienced England youth international, having captained England under-17s at both the European Championships and the Women’s World Cup in 2024. We wish Laila the best of luck for this next stage in her development. The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes."

Harbert has also represented England at youth level and was the captain of the Under-17 side at both the European Championships and the Women’s World Cup in 2024. She currently plays for the Under-19 Lionesses side, whom she helped qualify for the 2026 Under-20 Women's World Cup.

The teenager could make her NWSL debut on Saturday as Portland Thorns host Utah Royals in a crucial league clash.